How much did bananas cost in 1981?
Bananas averaged $0.36 per lb in 1981 — about $1.33 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000711211.
In 1981, bananas averaged $0.36 per lb at the U.S. city average, across all twelve months, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average price data. The monthly price ranged from $0.34 in July to $0.38 in May. Over the year it rose from $0.34 in January to $0.36 in December, a 6.1% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $0.36 in 1981 is worth about $1.33 in 2026 dollars. Today bananas averages $0.65 per lb, so in real terms it is 51% cheaper than it was in 1981. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 79% versus the 1981 average.
1981 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $0.34 | ▼ 1.7% |
| February | $0.37 | ▲ 6.7% |
| March | $0.38 | ▲ 3.0% |
| April | $0.38 | — |
| May | $0.38 | ▲ 0.5% |
| June | $0.37 | ▼ 2.6% |
| July | $0.34 | ▼ 7.6% |
| August | $0.35 | ▲ 2.9% |
| September | $0.36 | ▲ 2.0% |
| October | $0.36 | ▲ 1.7% |
| November | $0.36 | ▼ 2.5% |
| December | $0.36 | ▲ 2.5% |
| 1981 average | $0.36 |
FAQ
What was the average price of bananas in 1981?
Bananas averaged $0.36 per lb in 1981, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $0.36 of 1981 bananas worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.36 in 1981 is about $1.33 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1981 price of bananas compare to now?
Bananas now averages $0.65 per lb, up 79% from the 1981 average of $0.36.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Bananas price in 1981 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/bananas/1981/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000711211. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/bananas/1981/">Bananas price in 1981 (U.S. average) — Basket Report</a> (data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000711211; retrieved June 26, 2026) Basket Report. (2026). Bananas price in 1981 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/bananas/1981/